Loose Steering and DIY Trunk?

[Ferrell's Jeep]

I am about to be bringing my heap down to Birmingham since I will be here over the summer. However the steering seems pretty loose. When I turn the wheel at speed the tires just go. There is no feed back in the steering wheel/ there is no resistance. Also the jeep will wonder when driving and the steering just seems to loose. Any ideas???? Haven't really looked at it yet since I am still down here at school but that's what it was doing last time a drove it.

Second,

Anyone hae any plans for a DIY trunk for a YJ or any wrangler for that matter? I can adapt plans to work for my YJ. One thing I must throw out is that I will not be able to attach it to the tub as its is linex'd and I don't want to cut through the brand new coat of it. Any ideas here and ideas to hold it down. I am trying to to this where I can effectively have all trail gar in place and not have to worry about it coming out in the event of an accident. I have already had enough head injuries I don't want any more.

Ferrell

[Blackhole]

Sounds like your pitman arm might be loose, or any one of your steering joints for that matter. I say pitman arm, because its happened to me and it had the exact same symtoms you're describing. 1 5/16" socket to tighten it.

[BlueFlu]

Check the whole front end. I just replaced my hubs and it felt loose and wondered some before I did that.


For the trunk I've been pondering one for mine. I'll cut a template out of cardbourd. Then cut out a piece of 3/16" metel.
I'll use the roll bar bolts as the bolt in. Use door strips on the sides to protect from edges.
When I get it done I'll post up pics.

[Paul E]

May also want to check your toe-in/alignment. Can cause a larger dead area in the middle. I adjusted my toe-in a bit and it steers a LOT better now.

Blue-flu- sounds interesting about your trunk. I'd like to see pics too when you get it done.

I've used wood that sits on the fender wells in back. Cuts space big time, but it is stout enough to put stuff on top as well.

[minesweaper]

i took a 3/4" peice of plywood and cut it to fit on top of my tub it went around the rear roll bars. i had to take my speaker pods off to fit it in and it was a tight fit but i like it that way. i then hurculined it and installed it. used I-bolts to hold it down through the holes in the top of the tub. its kinda like a bed cover. you could inclose it behind the seats to make it more secure but i have never had anything go missing from it when i lock the tailgate. (knock on wood). I mounted my hi lift to it and my cb speaker. i plan to cut a hole in it to slide my co2 tank into. then use straps to hold it in place. it will not work if you run your back seat tho. if you want i can find pics i believe.

[Ferrell's Jeep]

Pics would be great of the trunk. I got rid of my backseat over 2 years ago now so no worries there. again i just want to have all tools and spare parts and whatever else safely contained so I wont get hit by a flying projectile. I would also like it to lock. Thanks for the info fellas.

Ferrell

[RecycledTeen]

Check your track bar bushings. Get under and watch it while someones moves the steering wheel a 1/4 turn back and forth or from resistance to resistance.

[Ferrell's Jeep]

Check your track bar bushings. Get under and watch it while someones moves the steering wheel a 1/4 turn back and forth or from resistance to resistance.

Its a YJ with leaf springs so a track bar is not needed. The leaf springs keep everything aligned so there is no need for one.I remember the day I pulled hat thing out. The bracket holding it on fell and gave me a fat lip. We have to loose them to gain better articulation.

Ferrell

[Kate]

Its a YJ with leaf springs so a track bar is not needed. The leaf springs keep everything aligned so there is no need for one.I remember the day I pulled hat thing out. The bracket holding it on fell and gave me a fat lip. We have to loose them to gain better articulation.

Ferrell

So, did the problem start AFTER you took the track bar out?
Maybe it was trying to tell you something ;)

[RecycledTeen]

Shouldn't have. I pulled mine out too on my YJ and never looked back. Speaking of back, I pulled that one too! My fault about the YJ, I was thinking TJ!

Rick

[Ferrell's Jeep]

So, did the problem start AFTER you took the track bar out?
Maybe it was trying to tell you something ;)


No its not the track bar. The track bar has no part in the steering the vehicle. All it does is keep the axle strait as to not let it shift but the leaf springs already do that so there is no need for it. Track bars have nothing to do with loose steering. But I like you always go back and see what could have caused the problems.

Could my ujoints be worn out??? No clue if this has anything to do with it being loose. Again when driving the vehicle is so "free" as there is no resistance in the steering wheel. Stabilizer?

Ferrell

[XJStewbob]

thats wasn't a track bar you removed it was a sway bar leaf sprung vehicles dosen't regurie a track bar, and i would say that you have something in your steering wore out. or thier is to much play in your steering box.Have you tried tighting the steering box?

[XJStewbob]

No its not the track bar. The track bar has no part in the steering the vehicle. All it does is keep the axle strait as to not let it shift but the leaf springs already do that so there is no need for it. Track bars have nothing to do with loose steering. But I like you always go back and see what could have caused the problems.

Could my ujoints be worn out??? No clue if this has anything to do with it being loose. Again when driving the vehicle is so "free" as there is no resistance in the steering wheel. Stabilizer?

Ferrell

The track bar has alot to do with steering the vehicle. If the track bar is loose then the axle will move before the tires start to turn causeing it to wander back and forth on the road and have play in the steering wheel

[Ferrell's Jeep]

i pulled my sway bars and both track bars over 2 years ago. I knwo leaf spring vehicles dont require them but YJs came with them and most remove them like I did.

I have not given the steering box a check yet. When I go home sometime this week I will give it a look.

Ferrell

[baracuda]

I would check all moving joints in frontend ferrell

[BlueFlu]

thats wasn't a track bar you removed it was a sway bar leaf sprung vehicles dosen't regurie a track bar, and i would say that you have something in your steering wore out. or thier is to much play in your steering box.Have you tried tighting the steering box?


YJs have front and rear Trac bars. ;)

[BlueFlu]

Best bet is to jack it up and have some help cycle the steering look for any thing loose.
Shake every piece including the tires.

[Ferrell's Jeep]

I will check it all out sometime this coming weekend.

Now any ideas for a DIY trunk?

Ferrell